When animal lovers turn their backs

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1. Why don’t we any foster homes in Turkey? Because it’s easier to write ‘Ohh, how cute!’ than taking the responsibility. People still doesn’t understand the fact that being an animal lover doesn’t mean loving an animal from a distance or to love only the animal you have. Being a real animal lover means to take responsbility, Responsibility is the main word. So the question must be ‘Are we responsible?’

2. I feel many people in Turkey are self-absorbed. They like to view themselves as animal lovers yet look to either side of them in the hope that someone else may be responsible to extend the olive branch. I look at all the strays there too and wonder at the people who just decide they do not want the animal anymore. Many feel good about having a pet for a while, makes them look/feel good, then the novelty wears off. Again….too much of a “ME” mentality……..in the end the animals suffer………..our poor abuses, neglected homeless. People should be more responsible for spay/neuter too…this is everywhere.
   Jacs

3. It is sad that people who profess to love & adore animals see a desperate need yet refuse to step up.To me these animals are in need.It is not MY problem or YOUR problem it is OUR problem. We need to do something.Writing “Oh how cute” may ease your mind but what about your conscience?Leaving a comment is not doing any good…Do something.Get off your butts and take in an animal in need.

4. From Wikipedia:
   “Apathy (also called impassivity or perfunctoriness) is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest or concern to emotional, social, or physical life. They may also exhibit an insensibility or sluggishness. The opposite of apathy is flow.[1] In positive psychology, apathy is described as a response to an easy challenge for which the subject has matched skills.

   Often, apathy has been felt after witnessing horrific acts, such as the killing or maiming of people during a war. It is also known to be associated with many conditions, some of which are: depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Chagas’ disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, dementia, Korsakoff’s Syndrome, excessive vitamin D, Hypothyroidism, general fatigue, Huntington’s disease, Pick’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), schizophrenia, Schizoid Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and others. Some medications and the heavy use of drugs such as heroin may bring apathy as a side effect.”

   Sooooo – either we need to look into what the Turks put into their Shisha or a brain scan is in order….

   In all fairness to the Turks – this is a global phenomena, also not foreign to the US.
   People ask me all the time – how can you go to the shelters and do what you do, how can you do it? It’s SO SAD…blah blah blah….

   Well hell yes – it IS sad.
   Not that the animals will be killed – at this point it is a salvation for some of these poor animals. – the noise, the smell, the cold, the heat, the abuse by kennel workers and other staff…I’d cut my wrists if I was thrown into a madhouse like a “shelter”
   So, what’s different here than in countries like Turkey?
   Education.
   Not intellect – EDUCATION on the subject of animal welfare. Pets are not “haram” or dirty or an offense. Designer dogs are not cool. Dogs and cats are sentient beings that deserve our respect and care.
   PERIOD!
   You want to be cool and different…VOLUNTEER!
   The Turkish collective mind is not there (yet).
   It will – I have no doubt, but until then we need to keep working hard on education.
   Most are not bad people, they have just been raised different , with different values towards animals.
   We are not superior to Turkey, India, China, The Americas – not at all. We just have evolved a bit different.
   One could use the argument and say Turkish strays don’t have it so bad – look at China or Korea….. And I would agree – Korea is a hell hole compared to Turkey. Does that make the suffering of our Turkish dogs any less?
   Of course not.
   So, please my Turkish brothers and sisters…who I know as the most hospitable people on this planet. Open your doors to another sentient being like a dog or cat in distress and help us nurse it back to health, so we can find it a good home.
   There’s no cost involved for you, if money is an issue.
   I’m sure many of us here would be willing to sponsor an animal in foster care to pay for its food.
   So what is the hold up again?

   xx
   Misha

5. It’s not just in Turkey, the problem is everywhere. We’re in Canada & can’t find anyone who wants to foster animals we find abandoned. It’s always someone else’s problem, no one wants to get involved. Really sad. I’ve been involved in animal rescue for 5 years, it’s not that hard & it’s rewarding.

6. Well, Misha is right, I think. I do not have much knowledge about Turkish culture, add should be talk from the ignorance.
   I can tell you, in our language, what happens here, and the concept is also above: apatia, oh, si…Si les propones, que cuiden un animal, por cierto tiempo, mientras, seriamente, les buscas hogar, piensan que es mentira, y que solo quieres, como dicen aqui encajarselo…horrible, perros, gatos, nuestras queridas mascotas sienten, ni mas ni menos. La otra es que es muy facil hablar, y “ser” en una comunidad virtual, en donde se puede aun, mas facilmente, ser una mentira…y muchos son, como dicen los yanquis, “wannabe”…decir cute, o lovely, o lo que sea, no es mas que eso, decir, queda lindo, quedan bien, reciben halagos, armasn grupos, y se soportan la estupidez mutuamente…y asi pasan horas, y dias, y meses, y los neceistados, muchas veces, pasan a ser muertos.
   Se me ocurre, tal vez, que todo lo que estas haciendo, les mueve, les revela, les conecta con su lado mas oscuro, y descubren que no son quienes dicen ser, son una mascara fea, un fantoche, les recordas que animals lovers, un carajo, que son unos payasos, unos mentirosos, unos inutiles, que engañan, y sobre todo se engañan, y no muchos tienen lo que se necesita, para generar el cambio.
   De pequeña, me enseñaron, que los que tienen (dinero), tienen obligaciones, con los que no tienen, tal vez deberias apuntar tus cañones ahi, no se…son ideas…aunque sea para seguir siendo, wannabes, o quedando bien, pero salvando vidas, que de eso, se trata esto salvar y dar calidad de vida.

7. It is so easy to say what a cutie, oh poor baby that’s awful, etc……..and then do nothing and think “he or she will be OK someone will foster them” and the forget, because they have convinced themselves that the animals are safe and in foster care sonewhere and they can go on with their nice safe uncomplecated lives. It is sickening!

8. It’s not just with animals…People here have been disempowered; Turkey has one of the lowest civil participation rates in the world. Much has changed since the earthquake of 1999, but there is a long way to go. There is a different perspective on volunteering here; there is also a very short history of animals as pets. This is also a country where not all people are afforded the same rights…

   So much here is uphill in terms of making a difference. Dedicated people are far and few between. Lucky the animals who know those who work with Letsadopt, yes. I find that solidarity and a venue to work for common goals makes all the difference. Together, together.

   Re my own contribution for a foster home, I would be willing to help out if there is something I can do from down here in Ayvalik!

9. ive lived in turkey for 16 years to see all the dogs on the street with mange rabies its full of unwanted cats were i live only the americans feed them in turkey the only thing thats importent are boys even girls are second class sodont hold your breath on any responce

10. Education is the key Viktor.
    It takes Media to back you and that in itself is hard work.
    It takes horrific pictures that make an impact in people’s mind.
    It takes a fight to have Turkish Bylaws changed, actions speak louder than words.

    YOU have to make the difference and you have to be the example. You have to live what you speak.
    I think it’s wonderful that globally you have offers but that is not making the changes that are needed in your own country.
    Canada in comparison to the U.S. has more no-kill shelters – however, that backs up the system, creating an over-flow that are not adopted. Even when Foster homes are found it is only a temporary solution, while there are so many that are suffering and need a spot to be taken care of…..
    In the U.S. – all we do is cross post to save soooooo many that are on death row. So many!!!
    There are many people, that single handed have more dogs or cats than some shelters do.
    When they foster, they already have 10 or more animals in their care –
    Again, this is not a solution for Turkey.
    Sadly you changed the language and again, this is not what’s needed to make changes in your country but it might get you a couple of trips to Canada or the U.S. – which might be great for you, but again, is not what is needed to make changes in your part of the world.
    You have a mission Viktor, set the way so that it makes changes in Turkey 🙂

11. Hi,

    Sadly my experience of living here in Didim, which I do know is not reflective of all Turkey is that dogs are not considered as pets but rather animals to be tied on a chain and starved in the vain hope they can protect a home, orchard or building site from thieves, when in truth most the dogs crave love rather than aggression and the chains are normally too short to offer the protection these callous people seek.

    In Didim there has been a level of corruption and immorality at government, business and personal levels that has seen many British and other foreign residents raped of their life savings and dreams.

    Many Brits have taken in or fed street dogs are now deserting Turkey and sadly antique, barbaric and costly quarantine restrictions have made returning to UK with your animal difficult. There are many animal lovers who do find ways around this by renting for 6 months in EU etc but for people who came with a dream took starving animals in and then have seen that dream destroyed , getting out become a higher priority than there pets.

    Sadly my experience of volunteering at the local shelter has been soul destroying and many of these people who took animals and say they love their dogs or cats desert them, and these “animal lovers” will probably spend an equal amount in the UK on cigarettes and in pubs.

    We have fostered a number of dogs in our tie here and the truth is we ended up with more than we wanted because, their are just too many street dogs in a town where there is no real love and compassion for animals and many foreign people are apathetic or scared to commit to a pet when they fear for their long term future. Again sadly in 2 1/2 years baring very few exceptions, I have seldom seen a Turkish dog untethered or being loved or exercised in a manner conducive to proving it a loving long term home.

    What is needed is a proactive education programme in Turkish schools about how animals/pets should be treated and a radical change to UK quarantine laws, so I think this problem is very much long haul!

    I hope Didim is not representative of other parts of Turkey, though Viktor’s posts suggests it is and I wish I could be more positive about this subject but my personal experiences scream to suggest not!

    Alec

12. Because there are a few real animal right fighters and they have already a lot to take care of ….

13. Because we, Turkish people, get bored easily & quickly from a subject that requires responsibility & sacrifice. That’s it !

14. lets not get into a ‘oh bad turks’ session here.
    there are some cultural differnces as well. as much as many turkish people love animals many have been brought up to believe that it is dirty to have them in the home.
    also many are opposed to spaying and neutering because it takes away the natural right to ‘enjoy a sex life’ and reproduce.
    and the best answer – which is an answer that crosses all cultures – is apathy.
    why didn’t i offer my house here in istanbul to foster? it’s alredy full with 3 animals rescued from the street.

    1. Heather.. those “cultural” and “traditional issues” are the ones that create the whole problem.

15. Cause of the responsibility they will never ask for. it is easy to write “oh baby, what a cuttie, you poor dog ” etc. When it is about homing, it is about the mentality. And most of them havent. So i ll try to be a foster home for a cat again after Blue Moon. Just let me know when you need.

16. I have a few ideas of why it’s hard to find foster homes here. First of all, the majority of educated Turks that have Internet (and are members of Let’s Adopt) must live in big cities. Big cities mean small apartments. So there is not often room to have more than 1-2 pets. Our last place was just 45 m2, and we had two people, a dog, cat and very space-consuming parrot. We still managed to foster, but only short-term.

    Conversely, the people I knew in America who fostered all had big private houses with multiple rooms so unhousebroken dogs could be temporarily confined… so dogs that fought could be kept separated… And while I’ve always had INDOOR dogs, I’ll admit that a garden is a BIG plus when considering potty trips for multiple dogs. It’s okay taking one pet on several leash walks a day, but much harder to take 3-4 dogs out together on leash. (I used to have 4 dogs, so I speak from experience).

    This brings up the next point, which is a typical problem in American rescues. That is, the foster families all end up falling in love and adopting some of their rescues. Eventually, they get to have 2-5 dogs of their own. Then, there’s no more room for fosters. Particularly after people get up to the 3-4 dog level, there are often two dogs that don’t get along, meaning one has to be separated from the others when you leave the house. This makes it especially hard to take in another, foster, dog.

    Another problem concerns the Turkish culture of “animal fear” and “super cleanliness.” I teach English in my home. I don’t know if we’re typical, but we generally have about 12 students and 4-6 other guests visit us each week. Nearly all are terrified of cats, dogs and parrots. I have to put all the animals into bedrooms before students will even step into our apartment. Once they do step inside, I see them looking at the floor for signs of pet hair. While I sweep daily, there are always some stray hairs roaming around. Families with children have refused to enter our home because their children might breath a pet hair and “become ill.”

    Turks value friendship and visitors far more than pets. Therefore, I’m sure many on this list are hesitant to take in an animal that will cause friends and family to stop visiting. It becomes a huge chore explaining over and over to every friend, co-worker, student, etc. that the 4 week old foster kitten will not “attack” them… that they will not die if they contact a pet hair, etc. I have some dog training students who have literally been “disowned” by their parents because they have a pet cat in the house. The parents no longer speak to them or visit them. I know many others who lie to their parents and pretend not to have pets. In this type of culture, it is difficult to keep 1 pet, much less 2 (since Let’s Adopt requires a current pet).

    The final difficulty is exclusive to Let’s Adopt. In the American rescues I know of, pretty much any (non-hoarder) person is welcome to be a foster family. They do not have to have a current pet, though most do. They can feed anything they want to–no mandate to feed raw. Even then, it is very difficult to find enough foster homes because of the above over-crowding problems. I totally understand why Let’s Adopt has the rules about already owning a pet. However, I do think that it’s also the main reason why there aren’t enough foster homes.

    1. Sharon, I need to make sure fosters are as qualified as final owners.
       Recently we gave a cat to foster to a girl… lots of cats in the past, animal lover bla bla bla..
       She just went on a holiday and left the cat behind.. no water.
       The cat tried to survive by drinking water she had left on the bucket, the water had soap or whatever it is the woman used.
       The cat died.

       Sorry… Im just playing safe. I cannot have any more deaths on my conscience.

       Let’s Adopt! is a niche player. We basically do what others don’t dare. We will never compromise for the sake of expedience or our own comfort.
       My goal is raising the bar, this is why we have so many exceptional people, because we aim high.

       Aim for the best and you will find the best.

17. I think one of the biggest problems we Turks have is that we have not yet learned to think for ourselves or to accept responsibility for ourselves. If somebody with enough self assurance tells us black is white, a large percentage will accept it, firstly because if an assertive enough voice thells you so, it must be true, and who are we to doubt the word of such a ‘knowledgeable’ (!!!) person, and secondly, because to object would mean taking responsibility, which we hate with a passion. So, if a person with some authority, especially someone considered a ‘religious’ person, who also happens to be afraid of dogs because he kicked a dog and got bitten when he was a child, or pulled a cat’s tail and got scratched and hates cats, tells the people that dogs and cats were created by the devil and not God, there will be a lot of people believing him. It is always easier to accept what someone else tells you than going to all that trouble and actually thinking about it, or objecting, and (heaven forbid!) taking on the responsibility…

    “And, what if the guy is actually right? After all, if he is so sure of himself, there must be something he knows… So, safer to believe him, and do what he says, and if the devil really did create dogs and cats, than there is nothing wrong in letting them starve, or even killing them, in fact, it may be our duty to do so in our eternal fight against evil…”

    Does this part sound sick? I bet it does, but unfortunately, you wouldn’t believe how much of it is true… I have had a relative tell me, with the sincere belief that she was saving me from a fate worse than death, that I should get rid of all our pets if I wanted to win God’s approval, and that by keeping the animals in the house, I was endangering the eternal lives of my husband and my children, too…
    Fostering or adopting a pet also means taking on responsibility, which is why we are such lousy pet owners and can abandon our pets so easily.

18. As an active Turkish animal rights believer, I am highly frustrated about what you all have been pouring here about Turkey. Do you have any idea about what is going on in your countries? Check this llink out: This is how pigs are cruelly “processed” in the pork industry before you have them on your dinner table: http://mercyforanimals.org/pigs/field-notes.asp. I am also helping spread the word on death rows!!! If an animal does not have an owner, it is denied to have a life in most of the western countries. Here in Turkey, we have a system where stray animals are taken for a healthcheck, nutered and left back to the streets afer all thier shots are done. You can differentiate them with their earclips.Practically, we let them live with us on the planet earth. I am part of a voluenteers group that goes out to feed the unlucky ones on the mountains every Sunday. Who are you to judge another nation? Take a look at your own backyard, you will find more standardized cruelty than any eastern county. Victor, I understand your frustration, but you have been supported so much in Turkey. if you take one instant and generalize it, maybe you never really deserved the trust.

    1. Maybe I never did..

       Meltem, would you like to foster one of the dogs we have rescued? they are here, in Istanbul, in pensions. Would you like to open your home to one of them whilst a good home is found? Maybe you could adopt? Maybe you could help finding him a good home here?

19. Victor, how long do they need to stay? I have four cats and a street dog now. I cannot take the dog to our garden or home, because my cats are afraid of him although practically he is not a danger to them at all. However, I can get a puppy or a small dog which would be fine for them I guess. Please let me know how we can proceed.

20. Sharon had many great points and V’s reply was also on point. Since LA has higher standards it makes placements harder but the placements are more solid because of this. One issue with finding homes for animals in Turkey is that the real animal lovers in Turkey do not need an organization to find an animal to adopt. Every Turkish animal lover I know just found dogs or cats in their neighborhood and took in as many as they could manage, so now they can’t foster or adopt anymore, removing them from the pool of potential fosters/adopters. I certainly didn’t know any Turkish animal lovers with less than 3 animals in the house and most also had at least 1 stray dog pack they took care of and a passel of cats they fed.

    1. Exactly… the thing is that our “target public” has never been the “real animal lover”.. those are full already and need help.
       Our target are the others.. the people who have an animal already and could be saving one more. That is our niche, and there are many of them.
       the “real animal lover” as you call them could have help us foster.. but they didn’t. So the system collapses.
       When too many people ask for help and very few help in any way there is nothing we can do.

21. To Erica, excellent point. You are totally right, that anybody here who loves pets and wants to help them simply collects a few broken-legged orphaned kittens, right outside their door. Nobody here needs an organization to locate a needy animal for them, as they are everywhere, just a few meters away from the apartment door.

    For Meltem, where is your dog living? You say you can’t bring him to your garden or your home because you have cats? So where is he? Still on the streets? About dogs and cats, ALL cats are “afraid” of new arrivals, whether cats or dogs. Keep them separated with a baby gate for a while, and the cats will get used to the dog. Cats learn they can easily escape from dogs by jumping up on a high place. Everybody in America has dogs and cats in the same house. Most pets don’t like “new arrivals” of any species, but they almost always accept each other after a few days.

22. Right…Most turkish would think it is another one’s problem(it always is!) ,even if they can foster,it is better to leave comments in facebook about cuteness blabla ,appear loving thn putting it on action…No hard feelings..

    But..

    Look at the streets.What do you see?Do you see only animals here on streets?There are children,there are beggers,there are millions of human who cant find anyhting to eat,
    there are young folks who turn their backs and lock their cars in fear of those children who do not have any vital force to rob anything from them…Except their pride.

    Ideally,all sentient beings should be nurtured and cared for.

    2 years ago or so,

    I was having dinner in a luxurious resttaurant with a friend.The guy was going on in his speech about how he made money of his jewelry shop.In this restaurant many people were dining,in their most fashionable clothes.Wow!Everything should be perfect …Not a worry right?Laughs,vine,chats,music….

    Thn,he came.His tiny,bony features were such a contrast to the background of that luxurious restaurant.He was a tiny ,hungry,sick kitten.He was afraid of humans…Yet he had to come there,despite his fear,because only humans had something to eat.And to survive he needed to eat.Anything.

    I began to cry…Not only for his cause,but because no one in that restaurant did something for that kitten.He was there,begging for food to survive,where humans were having fun,laughing,pouring money for their entertainment.No one did nothing,except me.In tears I ”ordered ” that kitten some meat to eat.I will never forget that day,I think it was a day where I felt anger,irritation and despair at the same time for humankind..

    Here in Turkey…I think we just cant feel love.We cant figure out the essential part of being human.Love includes everything,not just your brother,not just your children,love includes every living being.In our abundance,we are so poor,so miserable.
    I wish it could change,but a person cant change millions,you cant convince people to open their hearts,to love more,or care.It should be his own choice,decision..In contrary I think what animals/pets are giving to people here is priceless.It is pure unconditional love.It is healing in action in this wild world.

    thanks for caring.

23. @Meltem,

    are you really sure that we are the ones letting them live with us?
    or are we the ones expanding uncontrollably and leeching their ressources?

24. Sharon: The dog, Boncuk, lives in the playground in our neighbourhood, which is steps away from our house. Our neighbour had given him the hut of his former dog, I got his shots done and got an ID for him. Another neighbour sponsored his shots for a wierd disease he got: little balloons all over his mouth… It is a “community dog” playing all day with the cleancut dogs of the neighbours. This is how it goes in every neighbourhood, there are street animals that people “own” and feed them. Victor is right that real animal lovers are already helping so many cats and dogs and still trying. New animal loving homes need to be added to the existing ones.

    1. Meltem, do you know something? I see so much hypocrisy amongst animal lovers.. constantly screaming murder!! horror!!! then when they are given the chance to help they look away.
       Note.. most of the people you see calling themselves “animal lovers” only have golden retrievers, most of them bought from petshops, sometimes adopted but rarely.
       Recently I received an email from someone. She wanted me to search for dogs for her. Dogs to rescue. She would take them all, but they had to be pure bred golden retrievers. What is the logic of that?

25. This Golden Retriever thing in Turkey s just insane!!! Goldens here are NOTHING like Goldens are supposed to be–Turkish “Goldens” are a totally different breed.

    Well-bred Goldens in America, the UK, etc. are indeed nice family dogs, easy to train, good with children, etc. Here in Turkey, virtually EVERY purebred of EVERY breed–especially Goldens–is the world’s crappiest example of the breed.

    Most “purebreds” in Turkey (of any breed) are not even recognizable as purebreds. They are the grandchildren of HORRIBLE, dysplastic-hipped, evil-tempered, all-day-barking, fugly, crappy coat dogs that were imported from places like the old Soviet countries. And even those Soviet dogs were decended from another 10 generations of crap.

    The Goldens I’ve met in Turkey have almost all been seriously AGGRESSIVE to strangers, children and other dogs. They are often resource guarders (bite if you approach their food bowl), and they’re almost all hyperactive jumpers, barkers, leash-pullers, etc.

    I would adopt any street dog in Turkey before I would buy a Golden here. Not only because of “humane” reasons, but simply to get a better dog with good structure and temperament. Turkish Goldens–ugh!

26. Generalizing based on breed, gender, nation, source, country are discrimantion in my opinion. I take very single person and dog, cat whatever as an individual and do not generalize based on any criteria. Victor, when will I get the dog by the way?

    1. Dear Meltem,

       I’m trying to figure out which dog would be the most appropriate for you. Puppy wont do. It should be a small very calm adult, probably a senior… well see..
       In any case it is more likely that I come back to you asking you to please foster a cat.. this would definitely be far easier for you (and your cats!) 🙂
       Dont worry.. I have not forgotten..

27. You all talking about those animals like they were things to barter,move,handle.
    The moment you learn honoring another sentient being will probably be the moment you realize you are reflecting your own dilemmas upon those kindred spirits…And this doesnt serve them.

    (probably another comment which wont be published but heh..)

    1. As a comment goes this is one of the most ridiculous ones we have received in this blog… and we have received amazing ones.

       Anyway.. approved.

28. I dont think people should be over judgemental.Most of the people in Turkey loves animals but they not used to having pets at their homes.its due to culture and islamic religion.things has started to change in the last decade.But there is still a long way to go.i know many Turkish friends that does a lot for homeless animals.Turkey is a developing country.At the moment there is politic and economic problems in the country.People need to be educated about animal welfare.We just need to be patient and do what we can in the mean time,I am Turkish and live in London,Me and my friends help the shelters all around Turkey.I know Turkish man and woman who cant afford to look after themselves spends their last money on stray dogs.Victor:you saying that why people in canada and USA,UK help in fostering animals but Turkey dont.Are you really sure about that. .You just need to go to Batersea dogs Home.Even though British people love animals There are so many dogs waiting to be rehomed.Many of them put to sleep everyday!!We must try to educate Turkish people about animal love then Im sure more animals will be rehomed.We should avoid being judgemental and it is not a good approach to compare Turkey`s animal lovers with other countries like that.It may result discrimination..

29. TO: Meltem Ozcelebi THANK YOU XXX

    Thanks Meltem for your comments. I ve recently let a comment but they ve deleted. I mean they don’t even know how the system is, that people are spending their time to help the poor animal in Turkey. You know I am recently in Manchester in UK and I am looking after 11 cats left in the street, i ve even called some organisations but nothing is done. All my british neighboors have all already killed a few, and left them in the street dead. So I think that the organisations are more professional in Turkey and I know what I am talking about and this is the reason why you had no reply from turkish people: Your way of approach and and your degregation of a country where people are peacefull, and some comments rather racist. So no professionals want to lose time with immature and ignorant. You should research and talk after and send e-mail to people who are interested. I know plenty of foster home in turkey!

    1. Mustafa… do you know plenty of foster homes in Turkey?
       Great.. send them to us.. your dogs need them.

    2. By the way, Mustafa, as a rule I never delete comments unless they are rude or ridiculous.
       It is possible your comment felt under one of those categories in which case it might have been deleted. I really don’t know, I have very bad memory for ridiculous comments.. 🙂

30. Thanks Mustafa. I just do not like discrimination or generalization, i.e. labelling by race, country and nation. I would have the same reaction if the country was different. I have just read at facebook that a European family is leaving Didim and heading back to their country. Now they are leaving their 3 dogs behind and looking for people to take them. What diid they decide to do if they cannot find homes? They will put them to sleep. Who can decide to end the life of their loved dogs? Who gives them the right to do so? I know for sure that they cannot put healthy animals to sleep in the US. In Turkey, there is a law no 5199 that prohibits organizations from killing animals, they can only rehabilitate and put themn back to where they found them in a week. If an eastern family was doing the same, many people would talk about the lack of responsiblity feeling in this or that nation, race etc. This is not how we can seriously contribute to animals rights. Nothing is perfect anywhere in the world. People should first stop acting with precidious and then focus on the subject sincerely.

    1. Actually Meltem.. let me correct something…
       That family got in touch with me. They were desperate and at a loss about what to do.
       I am coordinating the rescue of those animals… none of them will be euthanized, none of them will be left behind. Two of them will be adopted in Germany and the third will try to the US with its owner.

       Again… nobody wanted them here… they have tried the impossible. Would you like to adopt any? Maybe Mustafa…

31. By the way, my baby cat gave birth last night, so I am practically a grandmother.

32. Glad that they contacted you. Somehow their friends or neighbours had the perception that they intend to put them to sleep according to the post on a facebook group probably hayvan severler”. Regardless this family was just an example for my point. Nobody in the facebook group was going “oh these people from xx country are so irresponsible etc.” but sincerely trying to find homes.

    I respect you and everyone that are trying to help others for any any good cause. Therefore, my best advice to you is to approach voluenteers always in a motivating and constructive way instead of starting such a discriminating discussion. I did not come across statements like ” quality of Russian dogs versus xx dogs” or “Turkish people versus xx people” anywhere else but in this group.

    Regarding your question to me and Mustafa, you can read my former posts. Everybody has their own ways of helping others. It is very important to respect these. Would you like to come with another facebook group to Beykoz mountains every Sunday to feed the unlucky dogs? Or did you notice that some people spent the night on the streets of Merter to get a wounded dog to treat him? Or do you want to help these people going out every evening to feed the dogs in their vicinity? You do not have to. They do not have to be a part of your good cause either.

    Keep up the good work. I will continue with other groups.